Fair Grounds Horse Racing Picks for Sunday, February 22, 2026

Below is a table for each race of the day. The table is ordered by our algorythmically calculated expected order of finish. Our program takes into account past performances, workout times, speed ratings, recency, and breeder/jockey data amoung other data points.

Using the “Expected” column, the lower number is better. When there is a clear lowest value, we like that horse best to win. In situations where many horses share low numbers, we like those horses equally well. If no horse is under 3, the results are less clear to us and bettors should examine the race more closely.

Using the “Value” column, we present the minimum payout we would recommend betting the particular horse. Look for higher-paying odds than those listed if you like that horse.

Scratches are notated and will be updated as available.

RACE NUMBER 1 (Maiden Special Weight) – Maiden Special Weight

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
12 12 Lil Central 6.00 1 2-1
7 7 Victory Prince 4.00 2.3 4-1
2 2 Clearly Artemus 6.00 2.4 4-1
1 1 Jus Surprise Me 6.00 2.6 5-1
6 6 Antiphon 4.50 3.6 7-1
3 3 Metairie 15.00 3.7 7-1
4 4 Berndt Marshmallow 10.00 4.3 8-1
11 11 Clearly Colossal 12.00 5.2 10-1
9 9 Ayden’s Edge 8.00 6.6 13-1
8 8 Guitar Man 20.00 6.9 13-1
5 5 Lil Henry 30.00 SCRATCH
10 10 Dulce Lorefiche 30.00 12 23-1

RACE NUMBER 2 (Maiden Claiming) – Maiden Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
7 7 Calling On Heaven 1.80 1 2-1
4 4 Sully 2.00 1 2-1
6 6 Somekinda Mischief 5.00 4.8 9-1
3 3 Prince Ben 8.00 5.2 10-1
5 5 El Maximo 10.00 5.3 10-1
1 1 Gold Dollar 10.00 6.7 13-1
2 2 Tickle Me Unclemo 8.00 7 13-1

RACE NUMBER 3 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
2 2 Princess Celine 2.50 1 2-1
6 6 Easy Seven 8.00 1.9 4-1
5 5 Spite Lite 8.00 2.5 5-1
4 4 Aztec Empress 4.00 3.2 6-1
7 7 Menty B 3.50 3.6 7-1
8 8 Lulu’s Magic 12.00 5.5 10-1
3 3 Sister Saint 12.00 SCRATCH
1 1 Foxy Zorra 5.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 4 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
1 1 The Great Maybe 3.00 1 2-1
3 3 California Smoke 6.00 2.3 4-1
2 2 Say I Do Sadie 3.50 2.6 5-1
5 5 Watering 6.00 2.7 5-1
8 8 Danzig’s Dora 5.00 3.5 7-1
6 6 Day Dawning 8.00 4.4 8-1
4 4 Ice Cold Blonde 6.00 5.8 11-1
7 7 P. O. S. H. Posh 8.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 5 (Starter Optional Claiming) – Starter Optional Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
7 7 Madison Rae 3.00 1 2-1
2 2 Izzy’s Monster 2.50 2 4-1
8 8 Slam Diego 5.00 3.4 6-1
10 10 Elle Est Forte 8.00 4.3 8-1
3 3 Star Anise 15.00 5.1 10-1
4 4 Serene Kathleen 15.00 5.2 10-1
5 5 Start Singing 8.00 5.9 11-1
1 1 Irish Kitten 20.00 6.1 12-1
6 6 April’s Gem 30.00 7.2 14-1
9 9 Im Singled Up 8.00 7.7 15-1
11 11 Simona’s Choice 20.00 11 21-1

RACE NUMBER 6 (Starter Allowance) – Starter Allowance

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
4 4 Interlock Empire 3.00 1 2-1
2 2 Fountain Run 4.00 1.2 2-1
1 1 White Whale 5.00 1.3 2-1
5 5 Golddiggendevil 4.00 1.3 2-1
3 3 Django 4.50 1.4 3-1
6 6 Nassau Circle 10.00 SCRATCH
7 7 Face the Future 5.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 7 (Allowance Optional Claiming) – Allowance Optional Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
6 6 Calicoco 3.50 1 2-1
1 1 Passing Judgment 8.00 1.7 3-1
10 10 Nopenottonight 10.00 2.7 5-1
7 7 Big Chopper 4.50 2.9 5-1
2 2 Magnolia West 4.00 3.2 6-1
9 9 Slick and Fast 8.00 3.6 7-1
8 8 Sonya Knows Better 8.00 3.8 7-1
4 4 Unified Report 12.00 3.8 7-1
5 5 Coffee County 10.00 4.5 9-1
3 3 Social Solution 20.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 8 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
3 3 Speightful One 4.00 1 2-1
6 6 Sono 6.00 3.1 6-1
7 7 Like This 8.00 3.4 7-1
5 5 Oak Hill Lg 8.00 4 8-1
1 1 Catalina Day 12.00 5.3 10-1
2 2 Sonofaship 6.00 5.8 11-1
10 10 Steauxlit 12.00 6.9 13-1
4 4 Drewmazing 10.00 8.7 16-1
9 9 Half Way There 8.00 9.9 19-1
8 8 The Speedy One 20.00 9.9 19-1
11 11 Honor That Dude 6.00 10 19-1
12 12 Samurai’s Grandson 20.00 12 23-1

Picks are based on historical performance and match-up. Keep up to date on late scratches and other changes – those are not taken into consideration. Sports from the Basement provides no warranty on these suggestions and readers should make picks at their own risk.